BLOOMINGTON – IU coach Tom Allen appears on the verge of signing the highest-rated recruiting class in Indiana history.

The Hoosiers already have multiple four-star prospects, An All-American Bowl participant and several highly rated in-state players committed. And they could yet receive further good news closer to Wednesday's early signing day, as they compete for signatures both in- and out-of-state.

Heavy hitters in state

Left to right: Larry Tracy, Sampson James and Beau Robbins have all decided to stay in-state for college.(Photo: Robert Scheer/IndyStar photos)

Avon running back Sampson James stands, according to the 247Sports Composite, as the second-highest rated commitment in Indiana history, and the best such player since 2000. Carmel defensive end Beau Robbins sits sixth on that same list.

Indiana has three in-state commitments thus far, all of them among the six highest-rated players in the class, if you also include Decatur Central defensive back Larry Tracy. The Hoosiers have pulled in larger hauls from their home state before, but few of higher quality.

And that quality may yet be enhanced, by either or both of Andrean linebacker Cameron Williams and Warren Central wide receiver David Bell. Williams is expected to be a December signing, while Bell will make his announcement at the Jan. 5 Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

Landing both could prove difficult. But even just one — Williams has visited IU recently — would add further quality. Williams, for example, is a Top247 prospect according to 247Sports’ own rankings, and Bell is one of the best receivers in 2019.

Reinforcements up front

Indiana currently stands at six commitments along its offensive and defensive lines, areas of need after two years of attrition.

IU will lose four key members of its offensive line rotation to graduation this year, and has had to absorb heavy losses on defense, with Michael Barwick, Jacob Robinson, Ja’Merez Bowen, Robert McCray, Nate Hoff, Greg Gooch and Nile Sykes all graduating within the last two seasons.

Whether the Hoosiers expect players like Beau Robbins, Matthew Bedford, Jeramy Passmore and Sio Nofoagatoto’a to contribute early remains to be seen. But they at least give Allen’s coaching staff greater depth. And they may get further help.

Florida connection remains strong

Tiawan Mullen is the second Army All-American to pick the Hoosiers in as many years.(Photo: Courtesy of Interspot)

Allen’s ties to the Sunshine State have paid off in the past two classes, in the form of players like Juwan Burgess, Whop Philyor, Devon Matthews, Michael Penix, Micah McFadden and even Allen’s own son, Thomas. And they don’t look like drying up any time soon.

Mullen looks like the jewel of the group. A 5-10 cornerback from Pompano Beach (Fla.) Coconut Creek, he will take part in what was until recently known as the Army All-American Bowl, following in the footsteps of his brother, Trayvon, a defensive back at Clemson. Mullen is also related to Louisville Heisman Trophy winner and current Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

No quarterback, at least not yet

That will be an interesting thread to follow not just in December, but also in January. Tuttle gives IU three scholarship QBs now, alongside returning starter Peyton Ramsey and redshirt freshman Michael Penix. Even if Tuttle has to sit out next season (it's not clear yet whether he will be immediately eligible), Indiana has more bodies at a position where it badly needed them.

If IU doesn’t sign a signal caller in December, Allen’s staff will still have January to work on adding at least one before the second signing day. Do the Hoosiers want one?

More to come?

Warren Central WR David Bell is one of IU's top remaining uncommitted targets.(Photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar)

Cameron Williams and David Bell are just two of a number of prospects Indiana could add at or even after the December signing day.

According to 247Sports, the Hoosiers are also considered in the running for three-star Missouri offensive lineman Danielson Ike, three-star Ohio offensive lineman Jonathan Allen and junior college wide receiver Reggie Todd. That’s not an exhaustive list, as Allen and his staff attempt to close the first signing window of 2019 in style. A class poised to finish in the top 40 nationally could yet improve its standing even further.